A big decision from Jurgen Klopp looks like a genius one on the back of Alexis Mac Allister achieving an incredible stat. The Argentine is thriving right now.
Jurgen Klopp took a chance in the summer as Liverpool's transfer plans collapsed around them. The Reds tried to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton, Romeo Lavia from Southampton and Andre from Fluminense but failed to get any of them.
As a result, Liverpool didn't have any of the defensive midfielders they truly wanted. Their next-best option was Wataru Endo, a complete gamble from Stuttgart signed on deadline day.
With Endo needing time to find any rhythm - and no guarantee that he'd actually be of the right level - Klopp opted to back Alexis Mac Allister as a holding midfielder. It's not the role he was signed for, nor is it his preferred position - but the boss felt he could do it.
It was been up and down, admittedly, but there can be little doubt that Mac Allister has found his footing as a defensive midfielder. Nothing highlights that better than this stat from Squawka.
Most tackles won by a Liverpool player in a Premier League game in the last three seasons:
◉ 9 - Alexis Mac Allister vs. Bournemouth (2024)
◉ 8 - Alexis Mac Allister vs. Chelsea (2024)And he won 25 duels across those two matches. 💪 pic.twitter.com/a3XgUxkExU
— Squawka (@Squawka) January 31, 2024
They've highlighted the most tackles won in a game by a Liverpool player across the last two seasons:
Alexis Mac Allister vs. Bournemouth (9) and Alexis Mac Allister vs. Chelsea (8).
In other words, Liverpool's last two Premier League fixtures.
It's a remarkable achievement, not just from Mac Allister but from Klopp. The player has blossomed into a fantastic defensive midfielder, while the boss somehow saw that this could happen.
Not only is the midfielder playing at a high level but he's actually improving there - just how good can he be by the end of the campaign? It's incredible stuff and Mac Allister is going to hand Endo fierce competition on his return from the Asian Cup.
From zero decent defensive midfielders to two without securing a single preferred target. Klopp working wonders once again.